"I'd bet that most pilots would prefer to fly a Spitfire for a display, but if going to war they would pick the Mustang."
GPMG - I was perched in the cockpit of a P-51 asking some lucky sod current on both types that exact question. His response was simple - take off, display, land with no holding on the ground or crosswind the Spit wins. However, any display away from Homeplate and he'd always take the P-51. It doesn't overheat on the ground, has excellent VFR reserves of gas, can be trimmed to fly hands-off and is much nicer in a X-Wind. Almost sounds like the different design philosophy between an interceptor and an escort fighter doesn't it?
Thread drift, I know, but as well as looks, what about the sound? The gunport shreik of the P-51 puts my hairs on end...